Comparison of proliferating cell nuclear antigen index in benign and malignant salivary pleomorphic adenoma

The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was studied in benign and malignant pleomorphic adenomas by using monoclonal antibody to PCNA. Carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma (n = 8), cell-rich variant (n = 6) and typical pleomorphic adenoma (n = 6) were selected in this study. The PCNA index in carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma showed a higher index of nuclear staining (mean 22.9%, S.D. 6.2) than in typical pleomorphic adenoma (mean 6.9%, S.D. 3.4) or a cell-rich variant of pleomorphic adenoma (mean 8.8%, S.D. 3.3). A significant difference in PCNA index was found between benign and malignant pleomorphic adenoma (P < 0.05). The present study suggests that PCNA index significantly differs between pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma, but in the prediction of malignant transformation potential it should be combined with routine histopathological examination.

Immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in salivary gland tumours: an assessment of growth potential

Immunoreactivity of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was assessed to evaluate growth potential in surgically resected tissue specimens from 70 cases of benign and malignant salivary gland tumours. Three stage streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase immunostaining using monoclonal antibody to PCNA showed a heterogeneity of PCNA index and distribution. In normal salivary gland specimens, PCNA was demonstrated in the nuclei of few ductal and acinar cells. In pleomorphic adenoma a multiple nodular growth pattern was observed with positive immunoreactivity restricted to the nuclei of tubulo-ductal structures. Warthin's tumour had positive nuclei in the outer cuboidal cells of epithelial component and germinal centres of lymphoid tissue. Myoepithelioma and acinic cell carcinoma showed slightly differing values and a statistically significant difference in the value of the index was observed in tumour cell aggregates of the cribiform type of adenoid cystic carcinoma and the solid undifferentiated type and between low/intermediate and high-grade mucoepidermoid tumours. PCNA is a useful marker of tumour cell proliferation; the index correlates with the grade of malignancy in salivary gland tumours.

Immunohistochemical localization of glutamine transaminase K, a rat kidney cysteine conjugate beta-lyase, and the relationship to the segment specificity of cysteine conjugate nephrotoxicity

Rat kidney glutamine transaminase K is a major rat kidney cysteine conjugate beta-lyase and is a key enzyme in the nephrotoxicity of some cysteine conjugates. However, it has not been demonstrated that the beta-lyase is present in the target cells. Furthermore, although all segments of the proximal tubule are affected by high doses of nephrotoxic cysteine conjugates, the S3 segment is the most sensitive. Because heterogeneous distribution of the beta-lyase could account for the enhanced sensitivity, antibody raised against rat kidney cysteine conjugate beta-lyase has been prepared and used to investigate the distribution of the enzyme in kidney and other tissues. The data show that the enzyme is highest in rat kidney, consistent with enzyme activity data. By immunohistochemical staining, no enzyme is present in the glomeruli or distal tubular elements of the kidney. The enzyme is present only in the target cells, the renal proximal tubular epithelium. However, the distribution of the beta-lyase within the proximal tubule is not consistent with the hypothesis that a higher concentration of the enzyme in the S3 segment accounts for the greater sensitivity of S3 to nephrotoxic cysteine conjugates compared to S1 and S2. Several alternative hypotheses are discussed.